LAFAYETTE, La. - Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal jury found a Krotz Springs man guilty Wednesday of possessing firearms and ammunition after being convicted of a felony.
Paul Joseph Viola, 46, of Krotz Springs, La., was found guilty of two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. presided over the trial, which started Monday and ended Wednesday. The jury returned a guilty verdict after deliberating for approximately two hours.
Testimony and evidence at trial revealed that an anonymous caller reported in October of 2015 that Viola was a felon in possession of firearms. In an undercover operation conducted between Oct. 31, 2015 and Nov. 13, 2015, law enforcement agents obtained photographs of a Remington 1100 12 gauge shotgun, a.22 caliber Remington Speedmaster Model 552 semi-automatic rifle, and a.22 caliber Ruger model 10/22 semi-automatic rifle that were in his trailer in Krotz Springs. While the investigation was still ongoing, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents found Viola on Nov. 28, 2015 at the Sherburne Wildlife Management area in St. Martin Parish in possession of a loaded.35 caliber Whelen single shot rifle and a rifle sling containing five rounds of ammunition. ATF agents also searched his trailer in Krotz Springs on December 7, 2015, where they found and seized 13,428 rounds of ammunition. During his arrest on Jan. 21, 2016 in Krotz Springs, law enforcement agents searched Viola’s pickup. At that time, agents found 10.22 caliber rounds of ammunition in a Ruger 10/22 rotary magazine for a Ruger 10/22 rifle, one round of Hornady.444 Marlin ammunition, three rounds of.243 Winchester ammunition and two rounds of.308 Winchester ammunition.
Viola faces up to 10 years in prison for each count, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each count. The court also ordered the forfeiture of any right or interest that Viola had in the forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition. The court did not set a sentencing date.
The ATF and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
